Burns vs. East Rutherford

We're at Harrill Stadium on the campus of East Rutherford High. There's a nip in the air so we'll be seeing jackets, blankets and toboggans in the stands.
Let's stop a moment and send out best wishes to some longtime friends on the Cleveland County sports scene who've been ailing. Bill Ellis, former Crest boys basketball coach, and Barry Hambright, a familiar figure over at Gardner-Webb, have both been dealing with medical problems and we hope you'll remember them in your prayers.

On the second play from scrimmage, Burns' QB Spencer Martin completes a short throw to Brandon Whitworth in the right flats. Whitworth spins out of a tackle and zooms 77 yards down the sideline for a score to put Burns ahead. The Bulldogs miss the point after, but with 11:08 on the clock the score is ... Burns 6, East Rutherford 0

East doesn't take long striking back. Cavaliers march 67 yards in nine plays. Tyler Hamilton sweeps right end for eight yards to the end zone. Ryan Bailey's kick is good, putting East ahead 7-6 with 7:19 left in the opening quarter.
The teams exchange punts before Burns takes over at the East 42. On first down, Jonah Brooks pops off the left side, breaks a couple tackles and sails to the end zone. Bulldogs go for two but pass is incomplete. With
4:34 left in the quarter it's ... Burns 12, East 7.

Burns' Brandon Wright intercepts with 3:37 to go in first period giving Burns possession at its own 37. Bulldogs though can't move and kick it away.
East starts from its 35. Cavs complete a pass to midfield as quarter ends, still Burns 12, ER 7.
After a Burns fumble at its own 30, East moves in to take the lead. Fullback Tajdre Wilkerson bulls in from the one. Cavs fake the kick and Mikhail Baxter passes to Lydell Watkins for two points. With 7:54 left in the half, it's East 15, Burns 12.

Other scores: Mid second quarter, it's Crest 21, East Gaston 0; also, in the second quarter it's R-S Central 7, K.Mountain 6.

East goes on an 81-yard, 8-play drive staying strictly on the ground. Tyler Hamilton breaks free for a score on a 35-yard play. The kick is wide but with 2:45 left in the half, it's East 21, Burns 12.

Burns punts to East. Cavs take over at own 29 and move across midfield before time runs out. At halftime, it's East 21, Burns 12.

Other halftime scores: Shelby 14, Chase 14; KM 12, R-S Central 7.

Burns kicks off and quickly forces East to punt. Bulldogs take over at own 14. Burns needs to keep the football a little longer this half. East had a 37-15 edge in offensive plays in the first two quarters.

Well, maybe there's something to be said for using the big play instead of grinding it out. Burns' Monterrio Merriweather goes untouched up the middle on second down for a 61-yard touchdown. Daniel Fogleman's kick brings Burns within 21-19.

Other scores: Shelby 24, Chase 14 late in third period; KM 20, R-S 14 late in third; Latest from Crest-East Gaston: Chargers led 28-0 at the half.

East drives to the Burns 28. On fourth-and-two, Burns' David Grimes breaks through to nail the runner for a loss allowing the Bulldogs to take over.
Merriweather carries five times in six plays to get the Bulldogs down to the East 32.
Bulldogs stall and Andrew Toney comes on to try a 46-yard field goal. It's blocked by Cavaliers who take over at their own 46 with 2:09 left in the quarter.
Cavaliers forced to punt. Jonah Brooks breaks free down right sideline and goes all the way to the East 32 where he's knocked out of bounds. Burns takes over there with two seconds left in the quarter.
Quarter ends with score: East 21, Burns 19.
Merriweather carries for a first down at the East 20. Jonah Brooks then zooms all the way to the one for first and goal. Merriweather goes off the left side for the score with 10:29 left to play. Bulldogs go for two - Merriweather carries again on the same play and punches it in. That makes the score ... Burns 27, East 21.

East starts its possession from its 47. Cavs quickly pick up a pair of first downs to the Burns 24. East though faces third-and-8 at the 22.
An incompletion makes it fourth-and-eight and Cavs go for it. Bulldogs guilty of pass interference to give East new life at the 11.
East's Adrian Wilkins carries in from the five for the go-ahead score with 7:07 to play. Cavs fake the kick and Corey Jimerson carries across for the two-point conversion making the score ... East 29, Burns 27.

Burns goes three and out and have to punt with 6:08 to play. East takes over at its 34 and rushes for a pair of first downs. Burns starts using its timeouts. East faces fourth-and-two at the Burns 28 with 3:02 remaining. Bulldogs jump offsides, giving Cavaliers first down at the 23.

On the next play, Tyler Hamilton goes 23 yards off the right side for a score. Ryan Bailey's kick, with 2:53 on the clock, makes it ... East 36, Burns 27.

Burns picks up a pair of first downs before East's Zach Price intercepts and returns it 45 yards to the Bulldogs' 15.
East begins taking a knee to keep clock running.
Final score: East Rutherford 36, Burns 27.